Apple offers two versions of the AirPods 5: a $129 model with a USB-C charging case and a $149 model with a wireless charging case. The extra $20 also adds battery life, slide volume controls, and additional Find My features, so there are differences between the earbuds themselves and their cases.
Both models include standard active noise cancellation, the H2 chip, the same open-ear design, and the same redesigned acoustic architecture with updated adaptive EQ. They also share Transparency mode, adaptive audio, conversational awareness, custom spatial audio, voice isolation, studio-quality audio recording, and IP57 dust, sweat, and water resistance. Both support live translation when paired with a compatible iPhone with Apple Intelligence enabled, in supported languages and regions.
The earphones are identical in size and weight. The cases are also the same size, although the wireless charging case is slightly heavier. There are still some notable differences to justify the price difference. Our guide helps answer the question of how to decide which of these sets of AirPods is best for you.
| AirPods 5 | AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case |
|---|---|
| Force sensor | Force sensor with sliding volume controls |
| Up to four hours of listening time on a single charge with active noise cancellation enabled (up to six hours with noise control turned off) | Up to five hours of listening time on a single charge with active noise cancellation enabled (up to seven hours with noise control turned off) |
| Up to 20 hours of listening time with the charging case with active noise cancellation enabled | Up to 22 hours of listening time with the charging case with active noise cancellation enabled |
| Charging case (USB-C) | Wireless charging case (USB-C) with Apple Watch charger support and Qi-certified chargers |
| Case speaker for Find My and charging and battery status sounds | |
| Where is it with the location of the last connection and sound playback on the earphones | Find My network monitoring, audio playback on the earbuds, separate locations for each earbud and case, and individual lost mode support |
| Charging case weighs 32.3 grams (1.14 ounces) | Charging case weighs 34.7 grams (1.22 ounces) |
| $129 | $149 |
For most people, the AirPods 5 with wireless charging case are clearly the better buy. The extra $20 is a small premium for conveniences you’ll likely appreciate if you use your AirPods regularly. Longer listening time is useful for travel and extended sessions, while swipe volume controls let you make changes without reaching for your iPhone or asking Siri.
The higher-end model is worth considering even if you plan to charge exclusively via USB-C. Wireless charging becomes more useful if you already have a Qi charger or Apple Watch charger. Its additional Find My features are invaluable if you tend to misplace your AirPods, allowing you to locate the earbuds and case separately and use the Find My network when they’re out of range of your device. The case speaker also helps when it slips between pillows or gets buried in a bag.
The standard AirPods 5 make more sense if you’re on a very limited budget, want a secondary pair, or listen primarily for short periods. You still get the same audio and noise-canceling technology, so saving $20 doesn’t mean compromising these core features. You simply need to be comfortable with USB-C charging, shorter battery life, fewer controls, and more limited Find My features.
The charging cases are not interchangeable between the two models. If you buy the standard AirPods 5, you can’t add wireless charging later by purchasing the other model’s case, so it’s worth deciding what features you want before purchasing.
Before you buy, compare prices using our deal summary, as discounts can change the price gap between the two models.
If you’re considering an upgrade from AirPods 4 or want to see what’s changed over the generations, our AirPods 4 and AirPods 5 Buying Guide compares the improvements and explains whether it’s worth the upgrade.
